Georgia Commit Vance Spafford Visiting USC Trojans: Headlines Star-Studded Recruits For Junior Day

The USC Trojans are set to host a star-studded recruiting weekend for its Junior Day event on Feb. 1. USC will have several of the state's top recruits on campus, including Georgia commit four-star receiver Vance Spafford, four-star tight end Mark Bowman and four-star cornerback Davon Benjamin.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart reacts during overtime of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart reacts during overtime of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The USC Trojans are preparing to host their most important recruiting weekend of the new year so far. USC will bring numerous blue-chip prospects from across the country to campus for its Junior Day event on Feb. 1. The Trojans currently have the No. 2 recruiting class in the On3 Industry Rankings and will continue to push for the top-ranked spot in the 2026 cycle. 

As USC continues to prioritize Southern California, the Trojans will see some of the top prospects in their backyard make their way to campus. Mission Viejo (CA) four-star receiver and Georgia commit Vance Spafford recently picked up from USC earlier this month. USC was not involved in the mix when Spafford committed to the Bulldogs in November but are looking to make up some ground in the winter and spring. 

A few other pass-catchers from Orange County are headed to Los Angeles, including Santa Margarita (CA) four-star receiver Trent Mosely and Mater Dei (CA) four-star receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. The Trojans recently hired Chad Savage as the new tight ends/inside receivers coach from Colorado State. Savage has strong recruiting ties in Southern California and could help change the programs fortunes with top talent from some of the top high school programs in the state. 

Lincoln Riley
Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Utah State Aggies during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Another Mater Dei pass-catcher is four-star tight end Mark Bowman, who reclassified from the 2027 class to the 2026 class this past weekend. Georgia has been considered the favorites to land Bowman, so the Trojans certainly have some ground to make up. Mater Dei was once a pipeline for USC under legendary high school coach Bruce Rollinson, but since his retirement in 2022, the Trojans have not signed any recruits from the local powerhouse, and they don’t have any commitments for the 2026 cycle. Two more tight ends will join Bowman this weekend, Redwood (CA) four-star Israel Briggs and Lakewood (CA) four-star and Texas A&M commit Caleb Tafua. 

USC has zeroed in on several other of the state’s top recruits ranked inside the On300, including Oaks Christian (CA) four-star running back Deshonne Redeaux and four-star cornerback Davon Benjamin, Orange Lutheran (CA) four-star offensive lineman Samuel Utu and four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili and JSerra Catholic (CA) edge rusher Simote Katoanga. While the Trojans have been considered the favorites to land all of them according to the On3 RPM, they will still push to keep them from leaving the state of California. 

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Grayson (GA) four-star linebacker Anthony Davis is making his way out west. Riley and several members of the Trojans staff were down in Georgia on Monday and made sure to pay Davis and his teammate, five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson a visit. 

Several USC commitments will be on campus this weekend to help pursued other recruits to join them next season, including three top 100 prospects, Gainesville (GA) four-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, Rancho Cucamonga (CA) four-star cornerback RJ Sermons and Loyola (CA) four-star cornerback Brandon Lockhart. St. John Bosco (CA) three-star athlete Joshua Holland, Sierra Canyon (CA) three-star athlete Madden Riordan and three-star receiver Ja’Myron Baker will also be there. 

Griffin is the crown jewel the Trojans 2026 recruiting class. The Georgia native is making his fifth visit to USC. Sermons committed to the Trojans in December over Oregon, Washington and Texas A&M. His father, Rodney played running back for the Trojans in the 90s and his brother, Cameron, committed to USC this month as part of the 2025 class. Lockhart, a Los Angeles native has been committed since October 2023, his sophomore year. 

Lincoln riley
Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Annie Hanson, the Trojans Executive Director of Recruiting and the USC staff always do a fantastic job of putting together excellent recruiting weekends that have been able to sway top recruits in their direction. From the glitz and glamour that is Los Angeles to the history behind the Cardinal and Gold that sits inside Heritage Hall, the Trojans know how to host an event. 

While the Trojans focus on the 2026 cycle, it’s never too early to be actively recruiting prospects in the 2027 cycle, especially when there are several top recruits in a close proximity to campus. Sierra Canyon (CA) defensive lineman Richard Wesley is the No. 1 defensive lineman and No. 2 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings. His teammate, Havon Finney is the No. 2 cornerback and No. 17 overall prospect, and Serra (CA) cornerback Duvay Williams is the top-ranked player at his position and No. 10 overall prospect. All three will be there this weekend will be on campus this weekend.

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Kendell Hollowell
KENDELL HOLLOWELL

Kendell Hollowell, a Southern California native has been been covering collegiate athletics since 2020 via radio and digital journalism. His experience includes covering programs such as the USC Trojans, Vanderbilt Commodores and Alabama Crimson Tide. Kendell He also works in TV production for the NFL Network. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kendell was a collegiate athlete on the University of Wyoming and Adams State football team. He is committed to bringing in-depth insight and analysis for USC athletics.